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Susan Bailey of Grapevine Magazine writes:
I receive a lot of CDs and many are pretty good. Once on a while though one really stands out. Danielle Rose's latest, "I Thirst," is such a CD. The 14 songs on this album ruminate on Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in a deep and complex way that makes for perfect Lenten reflection.
Danielle had tremendous insight into the heart and soul of Mother Teresa and seemed to sense intuitively her "dark night of the soul" that ended up lasting 40 years. Catholicism is a faith of contradictions, and this truth is played out more and more as one goes in deeper and deeper. The poor being generous. The sorrowful knowing deep joy. Darkness being a gift. These are the...
Nick Alexander here...
Happy Ash Wednesday! Lent has officially begun, and now is the time for personal reflection and sacrifice. Now is the time to be inspired to aim for greater holiness and sanctity, and for good works.
Music can be a great devotional tool for this Lenten season.
For the next few weeks, the TopCatholicSongs community will be sharing songs that have blessed them in past Lents. We are in the process of deciding right now as to what the Top Ten Lent songs will be. (Wanna vote? Join the community... it's FREE).
In short, you're going to want to bookmark this page.
In the meantime, do you have a favorite Lenten song/album to share...
Today, January 28, is the Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). He is the author of the Pange Lingua, which is one of the most beautiful chants in our Church Tradition. Meditate upon these lyrics today:
| Latin text | An English translation |
|---|---|
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Nick Alexander here...
Within the past week, there has been a steady stream of pro-life oriented songs. These are the songs that speak of the different voices surrounding life issues, from artists as varied as soft contemporary to jazz-infused rap. There's songs of joy and regret, love and forgiveness, strength and struggle.
I was raised in a home that, in short, did not share these views. In fact, my mother was very vocal in the "women's rights" movement, and oftentimes would march for "our bodies, our selves."
As a teenager, I became a huge fan of Steve Taylor. Of all the Christian rock that I...
Going to a rally this coming week? Get yourself inspired by these songs that will encourage you to stand for life.
Courtesy of the friendly folks at NewCatholicMusic-dot-com. They will be selling the sheet music there too.
The results are in! The topcatholicsongs community has voted, and these are
our Top Catholic Songs of 2007.
On Tuesday evening, I played for a charismatic "Healing and Hope" mass for the Archdiocese of Hartford. For those unfamiliar with such liturgies, it is an opportunity to incorporate the dynamic elements in an informal prayer gathering with a formal Catholic liturgy, oftentimes with tremendous results. It's always thrilling for me to play these masses, because it gives me the freedom to do what I love to do best--lead congregations with a mixture of contemporary and traditional worship songs.
I believe wholeheartedly that the elements from these types of songs complement each other--a traditional liturgy has solemnity and reverence, whereas the music from contemporary praise choruses have a personal, vibrant quality. The former emphasizes God is Holy, and the latter emphasizes God is...
Nick Alexander here...
When I created this list, I was unaware of the passing of Dan...
The apparitions of Mary to Juan Diego at Guadalupe, Mexico, is one of the most endearing, but powerful anecdotes that demonstrate God's tangible love for us. Today is the feast day of Our Lady at Guadalupe. To celebrate, I have highlighted two noteworthy recordings:
Mark Mallett created an exceptional listening experience, a rosary album based on the events at Guadalupe. It is called...
Susan Bailey writes:
From time to time I get more new stuff than I can schedule into the GrapeVine News Minute Podcast or the magazine, so I will mention it here.
Sean Ward from CatholicTV in Boston, MA sent me a note yesterday about Advent reflections that they are doing on the website. If you have not visited this site before, be sure and visit it. All their programming is online, proving once again that CatholicTV is staying ahead of the curve. You can find their Advent programs where it says "Now Playing - CATHOLICTV SERIES" - scroll down a bit to find...
Just found this in one of my older hymnals. They just don't craft songs like this anymore.
The Coming of Our God
C. Coffin, 1676-1749. Tr R. Campbell, 1814-1868, and compilers
The coming of our God
Our thoughts must now employ
Then let us meet Him on the road
With songs of holy joy.
The co-eternal Son
A Maiden's offspring see;
A servant's form Christ putteth on
To set His people free
Daughter of Sion, rise
To greet thine infant King;
Nor let thy stubborn heart despise
The pardon he doth bring.
In glory from His throne
Again will Christ descend
And summon all that are His own
To joys that never end.
Let deeds of darkness fly
Before the approaching morn,
For unto sin 'tis ours to die
And serve the Virgin-born.
Our joyful praises...